Gluten Free Brazilian Cheese Bread ~ Pāo de queijo

The moment you've been waiting for....the pão de queijo recipe, those delicious little gluten free Brazilian cheese Bread balls. They are easier than you think to make from scratch and perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack!

With the exception of Brigadeiros, Pāo de queijo, or gluten free Brazilian Cheese Bread balls (also called Brazilian Cheese buns, or as I call them, 'Little bites of love') are perhaps the most popular food to come out of Brazil. And it's no surprise!! These warm little cheese puffs that are crispy on the outside and cheesy and gooey on the inside are absolutely delicious.

You start and just cannot stop. And they are gluten free, so if you are on a gluten-free diet or that happens to be a benefit to you, there you go!

There are packages of the cheese bread mix that you can buy with powdered cheese. However, once you see how easy this is with items from your own grocery store, you will never turn back.

Pão de queijo, which translates directly into bread of cheese, originated in Brazil. In early times, enslaved people would soak and peel the cassava root and make bread rolls from it. At this time, there was no cheese in the rolls. At the end of the 19th century, more ingredients became available to the colonial community such as milk and cheese. They added milk and cheese to the tapioca roll making what we now know as pão de queijo. Today it can be found at restaurants, in stores, in bakeries, and more.

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Gluten Free Brazilian Cheese Bread Ingredients and Swaps

​I feel like there is a mystery surrounding Pao de Queijo and how to make it. There are frozen brands now available at some groceries stores, such as Brazi Bites. But this really is a simple recipe with simple ingredients, so definitely try to make these at home!

• Tapioca Flour finely ground, or Polvilho, is the main ingredient in this recipe. It's a gluten free flour made from the yuca root pulp, which gives these cheese breads a unique chewy texture. Yoki Tapioca Flour is a brand that we have here and can be found online for purchase. But you can also use other brands, such as Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour, which you can find in most grocery stores. NOTE: Read why Tapioca flour is different from Cassava Flour. The type of flour really does not matter in this recipe.  You cannot use a wheat flour in this recipe or just will not be the same texture or be a Brazilian Pão de queijo.
• Unsalted Butter - Butter is traditional for the flavor and texture. You could use vegetable oil or olive oil in this recipe, but it may not have the same rich and creamy taste.
• Whole Milk - You can use alternative milks, such as 1% or 2% or even unsweetened almond milk or soy milk.
• Salt - Kosher salt or regular table salt will do. You can leave it out, but it really does heighten all of the flavors.
• Cheese! - Grated Queijo de Minas, which has a similar texture to shredded mozzarella is the traditional cheese used in Brazil. You may be able to find it in a Brazilian specialty store. But you can absolutely use another semi-hard or hard cheese that can be shredded.  Some options are shredded Mozzarella cheese, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, Gouda Cheese or even queso fresco.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese - I love using both cheeses in this recipe, as the shredded cheese brings the creaminess and the parmesan brings the salty and nuttiness. If you don't have parmesan, you can just use extra shredded cheese.
• Eggs - You will need 2 large eggs for this recipe.

Simple Equipment and Tools

Nothing special for this one! Just a large mixing bowl to mix the ingredients in. Also either a microwave safe bowl or saucepan to melt the butter and warm the milk.

Then you need a large sheet pan (I use a 17×11). You can also use a mini muffin tin and use a small ice cream scoop to fill the slots ¾ of the way.

I mixed the ingredients with a spatula (you can use a wooden spoon) and then a large fork to really mix in the cheese. You could use a stand mixer as well.

Gluten Free Brazilian Cheese Bread Recipe Tips

Tip #1 - My absolute #1 Tip is to make extra and freeze them raw! You will love these and having them ready to go in the freezer is so convenient! Simply place the rolled balls uncooked on a sheet pan to flash freeze for 2 hours. Once frozen, you can transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They will last for up to 6 months in the freezer.

Tip #2 - For best results do not skip the step to let the dough rest and really absorb the liquids, otherwise your cheese balls may not be as moist.

Tip #3 - It may be easier to grease your hands with oil before gently roll the small balls and placing them on a prepared baking sheet.

How to Make Gluten Free Brazilian Cheese Bread

Preheat the oven to 375 F degrees. Grease your baking sheet or line it with parchment paper so that the cheese rolls or balls don't stick to the pan. I actually lined mine with aluminum foil, then grease it for easy clean up.

Add the tapioca flour to a large bowl, mix in the salt, and set aside.

Add the butter and milk to a medium saucepan and heat over high heat. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat. (you can also heat this in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl).

Pour the wet ingredients ( hot milk mixture with melted butter) over the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Then beat the eggs and mix in until smooth.

TIP: You may really need to get in there and press and fold or even knead the dough to ensure all of the tapioca flour is moistened and looks like a smooth batter (though a tight batter, not loose).

Set aside to rest for 10-15 minutes so that the tapioca absorbs all of the liquid.

After the dough has rested, add the shredded cheese and grated parmesan. Mix until combined. It will be a pretty firm dough.

Scoop up 1-½ tablespoons of the dough and roll them into golf ball size dough balls and place on the prepared baking sheet about 1+ inch apart or into your greased mini muffin pan.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned. Serve warm and puffy as they tend to deflate and get a bit rubbery when cold.

What to Serve with Brazilian Cheese Breads

Well, they make a delicious breakfast all on their own with a cup of coffee.

They are nearly always served with Feijoada: Rice and Beans Brazilian Style with Meat.

And they make a great pairing with Brazilian Chicken Salad ~ Salpicão de Frango.

If you are having a cocktail party with several Brazilian snacks, then you serve Pao de Queijo with Brazilian Pastel Recipe with Beef Filling along with Coxinha Chicken Croquettes {Eat or Freeze for Later}.

And for dessert, how about Brigadeiros! Brazilian Chocolate Dessert Truffles

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